Jets' Chuck Clark has chip on shoulder after missing 2023

Last year, the Jets acquired Chuck Clark in a trade with the Ravens.

The veteran safety was highly motivated, having requested to be traded after Baltimore drafted Kyle Hamilton.

However, after tearing his ACL on the final play of an OTA practice last spring, Clark, 29, did not play a single game in a Jets uniform. Despite his absence all of last year, the Jets re-signed Clark to a one-year deal worth $1.83 million.

“It meant a lot,” Clark said of the Jets’ return. “The little time I had last year, the six weeks to show what I could do, it meant a lot to say, 'Hey, we want you back.'

“Everyone is calling me and showing me this love and expressing that they want you back. My thing was to be healthy and get back on the field. Football was going to take care of itself when he returned. My main goal was to get back to 100 [percent].”

The Jets acquired Clark for a 2024 seventh-round pick because he brought versatility and veteran leadership to a defense looking to improve its bottom line. After tearing his ACL during practice, Clark got up and walked off the field. He went the entire weekend without knowing he had torn his ACL and found out his diagnosis the following week. He was then told he would miss the entire season.

Clark was cleared for football activities in February and participated in OTAs this spring.

“A guy like Chuck, you don’t feel bad for the team as much as you do for the individual,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “He’s doing all the work, he’s in a new environment.

“He looks good, he’s worked hard. He is here every day. He didn't have to. Even last year during the season he didn't need to be here to rehab, but he was here and staying connected with the team.

“He sets up a good OTA and [we are] excited about the trajectory he is following.

In his six seasons with the Ravens, Clark lined up in the box to stop the run at the line of scrimmage. He was also used deep in coverage and defended some of the best receivers and tight ends in the league.

In his final season with Baltimore, Clark played 100% of the Ravens' defensive snaps. That year, he finished with 101 tackles and four assists. In six seasons in Baltimore, Clark recorded 384 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five interceptions, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

During his NFL career, Clark had only missed two games before last year.

“I just couldn't be out there for the first time in over 23 years. I didn't play football this fall,” Clark said of the hardest part of being away last year. last season. “I see everyone lining up for the games, getting the game plan, and I see it from afar, looking out the windows, doing the practices.

“I think that was the hardest part, not the actual rehab stuff and getting through that stuff. It wasn't actually about being able to be there and feel in a different space, something I'd never felt before. Something I'm associated with, football is a part of my life, and not being able to be there, it was a different feeling.

Clark will join a Jets safety room full of young people. In addition to him, the Jets have Ashtyn Davis, Tony Adams and 2024 Mr. Irrelevant Jaylen Key on the roster.

Jordan Whitehead, who Clark was scheduled to work with last year, signed with the Buccaneers during the offseason.

When he joined the Jets, Clark talked about how happy he was to be a part of their defense. Last year, Gang Green finished third in yards (292.3) and 12th in points allowed (20.9).

While he's optimistic that the Jets' defense can be great, Clark believes it still has something left to prove.

“I still have that chip on my shoulder,” Clark said. “I think going through this injury process has given me this new gratitude and appreciation for this game.

“I still have a lot to prove. I missed the whole year. These are people who say, “He missed the year and he lost a step,” and I say, “All right, look. »

Jets OTA practice report Tuesday

Aaron Rodgers had another solid OTA day, completing 6 of 9 passes and a touchdown pass. His highlight throw of the day was a nearly 60-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Xavier Gipson.

Rodgers also delivered a no-look pass to Garrett Wilson during 7-on-7 drills.

In addition to Rodgers, rookie running back Braelon Allen continues to impress. He proved to be a ball-carrying playmaker, and Allen was a confident receiver out of the backfield. During 11-on-11 drills, Allen caught a contested 50/50 pass from Tyrod Taylor.

Left tackle Tyron Smith did not practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday. He was seen working out on a stationary bike and talking to former Jets center Nick Mangold, who was observing practice.

Running back Breece Hall, receivers Jason Brownlee and Irv Charles, cornerback Brandin Echols and offensive lineman Brady Latham did not participate with the rest of the team and were seen primarily in the zone. re-education. Saleh said Hall is dealing with “lower-half stuff,” but that’s not what the team is worried about.